LAND AND WATER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 47

LAND AND WATER.

It was reported to the council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society on Friday that a very fine cock pheasant had recently been shot near Ashburn Hall by a Dunedin resident. A good deal of indignation was expressed at this, as the conservation of pheasants in Otago is deemed very desirable, and it was left to the executive of the council to prosecute, if stiffieient evidence was procurable.

Trout and grayling' are reported to be disappearing from the Inangahua River. Years ago abundance of grayling existed in the Inangahua, but now not one can be seen in the river, nor have any of these fine fish been taken from it for more that a dozen years. In pools and reaches where many trout were to be seen there are now few or none. The disappearance of the fibh is largely attributed to the use of cyanide in mining.

A party of 10 Runs lately had a very successful shag-shooting expedition in Double Bay, on the east side of Port Levy (Canterbury), and in about two hours and a- half killed ■over 600 of the fish-destroying birds. In the Wellington pigeon match for £100 Eccles, Gviev, Holman, Dobson, Cheebeman, Dunlop, Mackersey, Brodrick, Redwood. Graham, Retler, Kyle. Kilminsler, and Bonney tied. They agreed to take £8 each and fire off for the remaining £38. Kyle and Mackersey killed thirteen birds, and the latter then missed. Kyle again killed, and took the money. At a mooting of Ravensbourne residents, is was decided to form a committee to hold the usual regatta. A rough programme was* (sketched, consisting of a champion yacht race, all-comers' handicap yacht race, third and fourth class handicap race, 20ft and 16ft boat rfvces, maiden fours, and swimming races. Mr Ross was elected commodore for the tenth year in succession, the mayor and the commodore of the Otago Yacht Club vice-commodores, Mr A. Low treasurer, and Mr E. T. Moller secretary. A large and influential committee were appointed to canvass the district for subscriptions. In connection with the regatta there will be various side shows, and the admission money will be handed over to the patriotic fund. At a meeting of the New Zea^nd Gun Club, held at 'Wellington, Mr Wilford, \f.H.R.. was elected president : vice-presi-dent"—Mr C Chevannes for the North Island and Mr J. H. Redwood for the South Island ; treasurer, Mr Tisdall ; secretary. Mr Allan ; committee— Messrs Cassin, King, Williams, Whatman, and Mackersey. It was recommended that rules be made regulating the size of shot in pigeon matches. Two rinks of bowlers from New South Wales are at present taking part in the Century Bowling Tournament at Auckland.

OTAGO j&CCLTMATISA/?ION SOCIETY

The ordinary meeting of the council of the Acclimatisation Society held on Friday was .attended by Messrs A. C. Begg (chairman), F. R. Chapman, P. C. Neill, A. C. Stronach, ■ A. E. Farquhar, T. Brown, R. Forrest, Dr Mpcpher.,on, and Messrs D. Russell (secretary). F. Deans, and W. G. Morris (managers). Jill DE\XS ! S REPORT. Mr F. Deans reported that he had liberated the following numbers of fish, in addition to what were liberated in December: — 120 two-year-old Loch Leven and burn trout and 1270 yearling Loch Leven and burn trout at Waitali, 270 yearling burn trout in. the Water of Leith, 300 yearling Loch Leven and. burn trout at .North-East Valley. and 400 yearling burn trout in the Sutton Stream. The brown trout fry had been distributee! as f0110w5:— 30,444 Water of Leith, 30,000 Waitati, 20,000 Shag River. 16,000 Waikouaiti, and 1000 North-East Valley. He had retained 5000 to be placed in No 2 pond. Loch Leven and bum trout fry of 10,000 each had been transferred from Clinton to Opoho. It having been reported that the young trout were dying in some of the tributaries of the Shag River for want of water, he visited Ro&s Creek, and, with the assistance of Mr W. Russell, succeeded in saving about 2000 fry, strong and well grown. On the 19th December he took delivery of a shipment of birds at Wellington, ex Delphic, consisting of 91 partridges, 21 pheasants, nine owls, three black grouse, and one robin redbreast. The Delphic got into the harbour on the morning of the 18th, and Captain Sowden kindly allowed the birds to remain where they were until it was convenient to remove them. One half of the partridge were pent to the Southland Society, as per agreement, and the other half were liberated in local districts. The pheasants were placed in the aviaries at Clinton, and the owls were liberated at Woodside, Outram. Mr Morris liberated the three black grouse in the Kel&o district, and the solitary robin was placed by Mr M'Bean in the aviary in the Gardens, where it is quite at home, and holds its own with its prototype, the nathe robins. The birds in the Gardens Mere all looking remarkably well under the attentive care of Mr M'Bean, including the late arrival, the young black weka. With respect to the owls, Mr H. Fulton reported that he fixed the boxes on the top of a shed, covering them up and making a cosy retreat for them during the day, five Kill taking advantage of it, and enjoying their liberty during the night. Two had taken to the bush or some neighbouring farm. Another lot of Virginian quail had arrived by the Te Anau on Thursday. The birds were in an indifferent condition. Four out of about 24 were dead, while the others looked sickly. Mr Calder, Lee Stream, had reported to him that there was plenty

of trout there, and that it was uselws &• ndirtfc any more there unless the angler* could b« induced to try their luck again in that oncai favourite stream. 'j The Chairman : These owls seemed to hit. well attended to, and doing very well at Ma Fulton's place at the Taieri. They are likeljf to breed and thrive well.

In reyly to a remark, j. The Chairman observed that owls killeqj mice and small birds. i The report was adopted. \ 3IR IIORIUS'S KEPOET. Mr W. G. Morris reported that since the! last meeting he had liberated the following' young trout: — Upper Waipahi, 500 LocU' Leven yearlings ; Lower Waiwera. 500 Loch! Leven (Clifton) and 500 Loch Leven (Mur* s ray's) ; Molyneux, 450 Loch Leven ; Kelsoi 200 Scotch burn yearlings ; Tokomairiro,6000 Loch Leven fry and 4000 Scotch bumf fry; Owaka, 5000 Scotch burn fry and 500($ Loch Leven fry ; Glenomaru, 5000 Loch! Leven fry and 5000 Scotch burn fry; Mimihau, 6000 Scotch burn and 6000 Loch Leven! fry; Wyndham, 2000 Scotch burn and 2000, Loch Leven fry ; Maggot Burn, 2000 Scotch; burn and 2000 Loch Leven fry ; Boundary, Creek, 2000 Scotch burn and 200(l! Loch Leven fry; Lower Waipahi, 10,000 brown trout fry ; Kairiwao, 16,000 brown trout fry; Waiwera, 16,000 brown trout fry. He had forwarded to Mr Deans 10,000 Loch Leven and 10,00 C Scotch burn fry, and had also taken to St.Bathans 5000 Loch Leven and 2000 Scotch burn fry. He received frony'Dunedin three black game (one male and two females), which he had liberated on the reserve at the Leithen'. He also received 14- he t and four cock pheasants. Three of the latter had sine* died, but the remainder seemed healthy, and were apparently doing well. He had reared this season 38 young pheasants, some of which were ready to be liberated.

The Chairman : I think the report as to' the liberation of all these fry is satisfactory. (To Mr Morris) : Were the}- liberated in good condition?

Mr Morris : Yes. The report was adopted

TEOUT FOE NASEBY,

Mr R. Murray, manager of the Government water race, Nascby, wrote asking if there were any chance of getting trout (6000) this season. He had a capital dam to put 4000 in, and the other 2000 could go in the Sowburn Creek, a bonny stream. The Evrebura dam, in which he intended to put the larger number, would, when finished, cover an area of a mile and 14- chains, having a beautiful clear shingle bottom. Those pent him three years ago were up to l|lb, giving capital sport. The Chairman thought it would be a very good thing to accede to Mr Murray's request, as it must be a grand place for trout. It was resolved to send 4000.

APPOINTMENT OF GANGERS.

It was resolved, on the recommendation of six settlers at Cha-lands, to appoint, aa honorary ranger, Mr Henry List, Cha c lands. The following were also appointed honorary rangers: — George Ross, Meadowbank, Palmerston, and Mr Thomas Wilson, Kelso.

SHOOTING SEASON.

It was agreed, on the suggestion of Dr Mao pherson, that the Southland and Canterbury Societies be consulted as to the opening of the shooting season for native game on the Ist of May instead of the Ist of April.

Several accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting terminated.